Fast Five Man Date on Sunday, 5/1 at 10am

Think you're manly? Do you like fast cars, wooden characters, big explosions and predictable plots? IS SHINY AND LOUD A REQUIRED FEATURE FOR YOU?

If so, join us for an East Valley Man Date on Sunday, 5/1 at 10am. We'll be watching Fast Five at the Harkins SanTan. 

We'll be there a few minutes before and will enter the theater no later than 9:45am. If you're late or still getting popcorn, look for us inside.

Best entrance ever

Dose Fly Id - TEDxScottsdale

As a sometimes journalist, full-time writer a very amateur video creator, I don't often have trouble getting people to open up. I have a ton of practice in asking probing questions that get interview subjects to open up about topics they normally wouldn't speak about.

When the subject knows that a) anything recorded will be edited and b) I'm not in it to make them look stupid, they usually relax a bit and we have our conversation, I take my notes and then write my story.

But in this case, the interview WAS the story, as we were trying to set up as realistic a presentation as possible without making it look like Dose had people behind the camera prodding him. So, we tried to ask ONE question and let him give his presentation.

We tried that three times. It didn't work.

Then Bob had the idea just to turn on the camera, start talking as a group and slowly ease out of the frame. This worked well, and the video you see has a minimum of edits. Most of the segues were his own.

Airport, Bikilas and Surround Sound System for sale!

Time to pass on a bunch of stuff I'm no longer using.

First, my b/g Airport Extreme Base Station. It's the UFO one AND it has a modem. No longer made. Works perfectly, I was offered a free newer one.
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/ele/2300887549.html

As much as I love Vibrams, I never could get used to my Bikilas. Time for someone with higher arches than my flat feet to try them out. Good condition.http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/clo/2317036154.html

Katie and I brought this JVC surround sound system back from Chicago because I really wanted it. Turns out, it's too loud for this apartment. Or I'm not man enough to handle the bass. Either way, someone else should be using this. Has TOSLINK (optical audio) inputs.
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/ele/2297192568.html

I'd rather not split the surround system up, but am willing to listen for the right price.

Look Better Naked Challenge Day 1 - Work those pecs!

After my "successful" participation in Vin Vallejo's Body Fat Reduction Content, in which I was the only one who GAINED inches (in the manly areas, I lost in my gut), Katie said she wanted to try something similar. So I'm going to take what I learned from Vin and continue my own training while whipping Katie into shape as well.

We'll try to get both our measurements done so that we can track progress over the next few months, but our first day, which was actually Monday, was pretty good.
Oh, and Katie really, really doesn't like the foam roller.

BFRC Day 57 - Results

After nearly two months of training with Vin and competing for a $2500 cash prize, the results are in: I didn't win.

In fact, I GAINED INCHES. Seriously. I was, as of 6pm, the ONLY contestant who actually gained inches.

Now, I did gain in all the manly areas (arms, shoulders, chest and legs) while losing in the fatty places (a bit in the ass and an inch around my gut), so the entire process (minus the nearly three weeks I missed because of travel and sickness) was absolutely worth it.

I feel stronger, look better and, most importantly, have way, way more energy than I have in quite a long time. My next task will be to train Katie the best I can as I prep for my next half or full marathon.

Huge thanks to Vin, as I'll still be training with him sporadically as long as I can keep up giving him some publicity (CLICK ON HIS LINKS! JOIN HIS GYM!) or convince him to trade gym time for a new website.

BFRC Day 56 - What's next?

Okay, so I didn't lose all the weight I hoped. My slow struggle to change my eating habits, a weeklong illness and a loooooong road trip to Chicago certainly didn't help, but the responsibility is obviously mine.

Now it's Katie's turn. Starting tomorrow, and every weekday until we get tired, I'll be training with my fiancée to help the both of us reach our fitness goals. While I'm certain it won't be as productive as my workouts at Pro Fitness AZ, I'm sure I'll be able to figure something out.

Next on my plate is more running, as I'd really like to get my per mile time under nine minutes for runs 10+ miles. I'll also be out on my bike a bit more and will eventually start swimming as I prep for Ironman 2012 in Tempe. 

Whew.